University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
Women's Basketball Inks One Of Nation’s Best Signing Classes For 2025-26
November 13, 2024 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Three new Tar Heels joined the North Carolina women's basketball family on Wednesday, with head coach Courtney Banghart announcing the signing of one of the nation's top ranked recruiting classes in Nyla Brooks, Taliyah Henderson, and Taissa Queiroz.
"I am so proud to add Nyla, Taliyah, and Taissa to our program and the Tar Heel community," said Banghart. "These talented student-athletes are elite competitors, versatile two-way threats, and relentless workers. We have loved this trio for a long time, and we're so grateful that it's finally all official!"
Touted as the No. 20 prospect by ESPN, Brooks joins the Tar Heels from Bishop Ireton High School in Virginia. From Waldorf, Md., Brooks has racked up honors throughout her prep career including three-time First Team WCAC honors, VISSA Player of the Year, Washington Post 1st Team and a Max Prep All-America honoree. As a junior, the 6-1 guard averaged 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
The daughter of Tonya and Willie, Brooks hails from a basketball family with her father playing collegiately at Morehead State. Admiring both Kevin Durant and Breanna Stewart, Brooks chose UNC due to the coaches, development opportunities and the chance to win on the court while receiving a stellar education.
Nyla is an elite defender and rebounder, who creates advantages for herself and others off the dribble. She brings length, athleticism, and versatility to our roster," said Banghart. "She can win her 1v1 match up, enabling her to create her own shot and get into gaps for teammates. She has extended her game out to 3, making her a true three level scorer. Nyla is also a great teammate and plays the game with true passion and joy. The Tar Heel family is going to love her."
Venturing from the West Coast to Chapel Hill, Taissa Queiroz is set to enroll early at UNC and join the Tar Heels for the spring semester. A native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil before moving to Cloverdale, Calif., Queiroz has lit it up throughout the Bay Area basketball scene earning herself a ranking as a four-star prospect by ESPN. The 6-1 guard, was named the San Francisco Chronicle Co-North Bay Player of the Year and was ranked as a Top-5 Player on the West Coast by Preps – Bay Area.
Queiroz also boasts international experience through years of playing for Brazil Basketball on its national circuit. At the 2022 U18 South America Cup in Argentina, she assisted her home country to a first-place finish and was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Choosing UNC due to the coaches' belief in her basketball skills, Quieroz is looking forward to the development and opportunities for her career, not only on the court but academically as well. The daughter of Glauce and Edy Carlos, Quieroz enjoys watching movies and cooking outside of basketball.
"Taissa is a big guard who brings size, physicality, and playmaking to our team. She can handle the ball and facilitate as a decision maker, but she can also play with physicality in the paint. She will actively rebound on both ends of the floor," said Banghart. "Her experience at the international level will be valuable, in addition to her plan to be here in January to start training with us. She is ready to work, and we are all thrilled to have her with us soon."
Starting in every game at the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup 2024 this past summer in Argentina, Henderson assisted Canada to a silver medal while averaging 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the six-game event.
A 4.0 student, Henderson boasts eight state championship titles between basketball and track and chose UNC because of its community and the coaching staff's belief in her. The daughter of Danica and Anthony, Henderson hails from an athletic family with her mother playing basketball at Idaho State and her father a standout on the football field.
"Taliyah is a dynamic athlete and a relentless competitor. She is an elite 2-way player. She can score at all 3 levels and she can guard most every position on the floor. She will help us play fast as a rebound and go full court threat, with a non-stop motor," said Banghart. "Her ability to stretch the floor, combined with her downhill attack, makes her a tough match up. She continues to add layers to her game every year. This one will be fun!"
The Tar Heels return to action on Friday, Nov. 15, hosting No. 2 UConn in a neutral site meeting from Greensboro at First Horizon Coliseum. Tip against the Huskies can be viewed nationally on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. ET.
"I am so proud to add Nyla, Taliyah, and Taissa to our program and the Tar Heel community," said Banghart. "These talented student-athletes are elite competitors, versatile two-way threats, and relentless workers. We have loved this trio for a long time, and we're so grateful that it's finally all official!"
Touted as the No. 20 prospect by ESPN, Brooks joins the Tar Heels from Bishop Ireton High School in Virginia. From Waldorf, Md., Brooks has racked up honors throughout her prep career including three-time First Team WCAC honors, VISSA Player of the Year, Washington Post 1st Team and a Max Prep All-America honoree. As a junior, the 6-1 guard averaged 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
The daughter of Tonya and Willie, Brooks hails from a basketball family with her father playing collegiately at Morehead State. Admiring both Kevin Durant and Breanna Stewart, Brooks chose UNC due to the coaches, development opportunities and the chance to win on the court while receiving a stellar education.
Nyla is an elite defender and rebounder, who creates advantages for herself and others off the dribble. She brings length, athleticism, and versatility to our roster," said Banghart. "She can win her 1v1 match up, enabling her to create her own shot and get into gaps for teammates. She has extended her game out to 3, making her a true three level scorer. Nyla is also a great teammate and plays the game with true passion and joy. The Tar Heel family is going to love her."
From the DMV ➡️ Chapel Hill.
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) November 13, 2024
Nyla's officially a Tar Heel! pic.twitter.com/wpj81OQos8
Venturing from the West Coast to Chapel Hill, Taissa Queiroz is set to enroll early at UNC and join the Tar Heels for the spring semester. A native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil before moving to Cloverdale, Calif., Queiroz has lit it up throughout the Bay Area basketball scene earning herself a ranking as a four-star prospect by ESPN. The 6-1 guard, was named the San Francisco Chronicle Co-North Bay Player of the Year and was ranked as a Top-5 Player on the West Coast by Preps – Bay Area.
Queiroz also boasts international experience through years of playing for Brazil Basketball on its national circuit. At the 2022 U18 South America Cup in Argentina, she assisted her home country to a first-place finish and was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Choosing UNC due to the coaches' belief in her basketball skills, Quieroz is looking forward to the development and opportunities for her career, not only on the court but academically as well. The daughter of Glauce and Edy Carlos, Quieroz enjoys watching movies and cooking outside of basketball.
"Taissa is a big guard who brings size, physicality, and playmaking to our team. She can handle the ball and facilitate as a decision maker, but she can also play with physicality in the paint. She will actively rebound on both ends of the floor," said Banghart. "Her experience at the international level will be valuable, in addition to her plan to be here in January to start training with us. She is ready to work, and we are all thrilled to have her with us soon."
The final addition for the highly touted signing class, Taliyah Henderson comes to UNC following a standout high school career at Salpointe Catholic in Vail, Ariz. The five-star recruit by ESPN, the 6-1 guard also boasts international playing experience with Team Canada.Taliyah looks good in Carolina Blue 🩵
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) November 13, 2024
Signed, sealed, official! pic.twitter.com/N0SowisPIO
Starting in every game at the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup 2024 this past summer in Argentina, Henderson assisted Canada to a silver medal while averaging 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the six-game event.
A 4.0 student, Henderson boasts eight state championship titles between basketball and track and chose UNC because of its community and the coaching staff's belief in her. The daughter of Danica and Anthony, Henderson hails from an athletic family with her mother playing basketball at Idaho State and her father a standout on the football field.
"Taliyah is a dynamic athlete and a relentless competitor. She is an elite 2-way player. She can score at all 3 levels and she can guard most every position on the floor. She will help us play fast as a rebound and go full court threat, with a non-stop motor," said Banghart. "Her ability to stretch the floor, combined with her downhill attack, makes her a tough match up. She continues to add layers to her game every year. This one will be fun!"
One of the best from The Bay 🌉- and she happens to be Brazilian 🇧🇷
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) November 13, 2024
Welcome Taissa to the UNC family! pic.twitter.com/MMiSvpJSGj
The Tar Heels return to action on Friday, Nov. 15, hosting No. 2 UConn in a neutral site meeting from Greensboro at First Horizon Coliseum. Tip against the Huskies can be viewed nationally on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. ET.
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